Pretty early on in my transition to a training role at EKU, I heard about MERLOT.org, a repository of online learning resources, mostly consisting of links to free web based content, usually taking the form of either an informational or interactive web site.
There are many resources available here with regard to psychology and human perception. simply use the search bar at the top of the screen. You can perform searches on thousands of available online resources.
By searching for the term memory, I encountered a well-respected resource from McGill University in Quebec called The Brain From Top to Bottom. This is an interactive direct instruction approach which presents information in a colorful style representing a wiki. However, the most impressive aspect of the site lies within each topic's collection of pages. At the top of the screen is a "Levels of Understanding" feature. You may select one of three difficulty levels and the site will change the wording and general presentation to suit different levels of discourse.
The McGill resource promotes learning because it succinctly presents information about psychological development through myriad topics at different learning levels which the individual learner can modify.
MERLOT is a great resource because it is a searchable index of thousands of learning modules/plans on many subjects. I love sites like this because they are great starting points when beginning to develop an instructional plan with activities.
Keep in mind that not all of the resources offered on MERLOT are as robust as the one I presented. Some are very solid lesson plans presented in the form of a printable document. I think at first some mistakenly thought such an online repository would contain everything one needed to teach a particular topic within a subject. I am sure most of my colleagues understand teaching involves more than what such a site may provide.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteWow! The link that you posted is--in simple terms--a phenomenal resource. I especially appreciate the ability to choose depth, to investigate at varying levels of complexity. However, I soon realized that it would take considerable time to fully plumb its depths, as every link I clicked opened a completely new library of information. I am awed at the complexity of the brain and even more so at its ability to streamline daily activities in order to juggle their many facets without confusing them.
I agree with Ben! This link is awesome!!! I really enjoyed reading about the "Embryo to Ethics". Having a young child, it is amazing to see all the learning that is occurring externally but being able to see how the nervous system and brain stem is formed is also really interesting. Side note: I like that you can switch the "level of explanation". I wish textbooks had different levels of instruction. I feel like this would be helpful for struggling and advanced readers.
ReplyDeleteChris, thanks for sharing this. Isn't there another resource like this focused on instructional materials from Kentucky? I can't remember the name of it, but I doubt it would be nearly as comprehensive as MERLOT. I like the resource you posted. It led me to several other materials on the site.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great resource! I've bookmarked this site for future reference. I particularly enjoyed the section on memory (all three levels). I was thinking how wonderful it would be if all online learning resources could be set up in this way. How great would it be to use one site and start with a basic understanding of a topic, then move up based upon your mastery of the content? Or using a resource such as this to allow students at various stages of mastery to explore and discuss similar topics?
ReplyDeleteWell, to reiterate what my other classmates have already said this is a great site. Like the site says it is the brain from top to bottom. I like the part about sleep and dreams. I have always wanted to know more about dream and this is very details. GREAT JOB!!! I plan to add it to my collection. Thanks
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